CHSR Condemn Teargasing Of Lagos Pensioners, Demands Immediate Payment Of Arrears “Pension Is Not A Favour, It Is An Entitlement” — CHSR

The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights, CHSR, has condemned the alleged use of tear gas against elderly pensioners who staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly gate on Monday, 31st August 2026, demanding payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities.

Addressing journalists at a press conference on Tuesday, CHSR President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, described the incident as “inhumane, unacceptable and a serious affront to human dignity.”

"These are elderly men and women who dedicated several productive years of their lives to the service of Lagos State. Their decision to peacefully demand what they have legitimately earned cannot, and must not, be treated as a criminal act,” Omotehinse said.

The rights group said that videos and photos from the protest showed senior citizens carrying placards over unpaid entitlements and the hardship facing retirees.

“The placards displayed by the pensioners clearly conveyed the depth of their frustration, including demands for the immediate payment of outstanding entitlements and concerns over the hardship and health challenges confronting many retirees,” he stated.

CHSR argued that pension is a constitutional right, not charity.

“Pension is not a favour, charity or privilege. It is an entitlement earned through years of dedicated public service. Retired public servants are therefore entitled to demand the payment of benefits lawfully due to them without intimidation, harassment or unnecessary use of force.

“Government has a responsibility to protect the dignity and welfare of its senior citizens. Where legitimate grievances exist, the appropriate response should be dialogue, engagement and prompt resolution — not force," Omoteshinse said.

The group also reacted to comments by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, who allegedly described the viral footage as “AI generated.”

“For the record, our attention has been drawn to a damage control done by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, where he tried to distort the fact by calling the video footages and photo emanated from the pensioners protest as an AI generated footages.

“When we get to that bridge we shall cross it, as we promise the CP that the end shall justify the means," Omoteshinse said.

CHSR challenged the police boss to investigate instead of dismissing the incident.

“We hereby challenge the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, to investigate the incident and if truly the news were fake then the perpetrators be brought to book, as this issue is beyond a mere damage control. 

"Those involved are aged men and women who have dedicated almost 85% of their lives to serve this state," he said.

He also reminded security agencies that retirement affects everyone.  

“We also wish to remind security personnel that retirement is a reality that awaits every worker, including those currently wearing uniforms. The elderly pensioners protesting today are the parents, relatives and predecessors of many serving public officials and security personnel. They deserve respect, restraint and dignity,” he added.

CHSR listed 11 demands, including immediate payment of arrears and accountability for the officers involved.

“The Lagos State Government should immediately commence the payment of all verified outstanding pensions, gratuities and allowances owed to retirees.

“Publish a clear, transparent and time-bound schedule for the settlement of all outstanding pensioners’ entitlements.

“Engage directly and constructively with representatives of the pensioners to resolve their grievances without intimidation, harassment or victimisation.

“Investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported tear-gassing of the elderly protesters and make the outcome public. If the action was carried out by the Police... the appropriate authorities must be held accountable," they said.

They added that "The welfare, dignity and legitimate interests of pensioners must be treated as an urgent matter of public responsibility.

“The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government must ensure that the Police and other security agencies respect the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression.

“The Lagos State Police Command... should urgently train and retrain their personnel on the professional management of peaceful protests, with emphasis on restraint, dialogue and respect for human dignity.

“Security personnel must always remember that their primary responsibility is to protect the lives, dignity and fundamental rights of the people.

“We demand that the IGP Tunji Disu should immediately order the arrest and prosecute all the police officers who tear gassed, violently attacked and disrupted a peaceful protest by pensioners at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday 31st day of August 2026.

“The human rights community, Nigeria Labour Congress, professional bodies... should stand in solidarity with these pensioners and demand justice for them.

"Lagos State must not become a place where elderly citizens and peaceful protesters are subjected to tear gas, intimidation or humiliation simply for demanding their legitimate rights.”

CHSR stressed that Lagos, as “one of Nigeria’s most economically viable states,” has no justification to owe retirees.

“There can therefore be no acceptable justification for allowing elderly citizens who served the state to suffer unnecessary hardship while waiting indefinitely for their pensions, gratuities and other benefits,” Omotehinse said.

CHSR then called on the Lagos State Government to treat this matter with the urgency and sensitivity it deserves. The most appropriate response to the grievances of pensioners is not force but dialogue, accountability and immediate action.

"The government must demonstrate that those who spent their productive years serving Lagos State will not be abandoned in their retirement," it said.

CHSR then said that it will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the affected pensioners.